Monday, April 28, 2008

Our baby chicks are doing great at a week and a half old. Had bad luck with the hatch though, only 10 of 48 eggs hatched. And 2 of them died. Not sure what happened, incubator was working fine the whole way through. Guess it's hard to out due a hen when it comes to hatching eggs. Oh well we still have 8 beautiful chicks that are very healthy to add to our flock.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

I could hardly belive the amount of food that we just picked up from a local church that is a distributor for Angel Food Ministries. All this for just $30.00. This is a great bargin and I suggest you check this out. Many states and locations involved. Just search for your location and distribution area. You will be glad you did. New menu each month. Check their web site for more info.2 lb.Fully Cooked Meatloaf1 lb.Beef Fajita Strips3 lb.Breaded Frying Chicken2 lb.St. Louis Style Ribs2 lb.Lasagna Dinner Entree1 lb.Gourmet Sausage1 lb.Fully Cooked Meatballs16 oz.Broccoli15 oz.Refried Beans12 ct.Tortillas26 oz.Pasta Sauce16 oz.Pasta6 oz.Pancake Mix16 oz.Fresh Carrots3 lb.Golden Yukon Potatoes4 oz.Chicken Noodle Soup (Makes 64 oz.)4 lb.California OrangesDessert ItemALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $30

Friday, April 25, 2008

Passing on the simple but valuable gift of growing your own food. I am so very proud that she has taken such and interest at this early age. Katie Bug is 2 and tells people she works on a farm. I love it.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

It was a beautiful day here today with the high around 80. Me and Katie took advantage of this great weather and worked in the garden today. Planted 3 varieties of peppers, cabbage and onions and lots more to go. The forcast for tommorrow looks great too so we will be out there.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

My cousin Jeff, being the entrepreneur that he is, has recently purchased two new places of business in Florida. Elite Market and General Store is located in Salt Springs and is part of the Elite RV Resort and just across the road from the Salt Spring State Park. Be sure to check out this beautiful area and stop by and say hello to Jeff and Kelly. Tell them the Scavenger sent you their way. Jeff Earnest and Kelly Graddy bought the 'Elite Market & General Store' on 21 February 2008, with the intent of providing a one stop shopping area, open 7 days a week, to provide groceries and other necessities to the areas full-time residents, winter residents, vacationers, campers, RVers, passers-by, and Spring goers. We've adopting the old addage:"If you need it, we have it, If we don't have it, we'll get it, If we can't get it, you don't need it." Check out the video for more on this great destination.

The other is a moving business. Moving Maid Simple exists to assist families and individuals moving to Central Florida with not only the physical, but also the emotional stresses that usually accompany a major household move. We primarily endeavor to work with Retirees, Seniors, and the Elderly, because we recognize that they have a true need for our services. To these citizens of our society, the services that Moving Maid Simple provides are not a luxury, but rather, a necessity. Moving Maid Simple’s services provide these individuals with a “Peace of Mind”; which, in turn, provides our employees with a great deal of pride in their performance.

Please if you need any of these services give them a call. I know that they would appreciate the business

Friday, April 18, 2008

Chicks are hatching a few at a time tonight. Have about 44 more in the incubator. Funny thing is you can hear them a day or two before they start to hatch. The kids are really enjoying watching the hatch. You can see 2 eggs in the box that have a small hole in them, should hatch soon. Been taking an hour or so once they start to crack. Really enjoyable sight to see.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Seems that all I get done these days is putting up or repairing more fence. I guess it is because I have not done as much in the past few years as I would like to have, due mostly to my buget. I have to save up for a shoestring project. But it could be alot worse. Things are going well on the farm. Still have more plans for the future and I hope I always will. Not sure if our new buck goat has serviced the does yet. I think they are like cats, you never see them in action just the result. We hope to grow our herd by 3 to 5 atleast. If the breeding and kidding go well that should be no problem. Set posts today for the new goat fence. Now they free range throughout the day and are put in the small barn only at night. There are plans for a larger barn mid summer. Fence area will be 16' cattle panels on the front, about 160', and electric on the sides and back. Need the panels on the front for the kids protection, no electric on this part. Should get the rest of the posts set for the front tomorrow and a few corner posts too if all goes well. Then on to the electric. Never used it before but I think it will be great for this area. Using a Solar Charger from Tractor Supply. The plan is to be able to move the electric fence to different areas during the summer when a good barn is not needed. Goats are perfectly happy out in the open during summer nights. A small portable shelter will be provided as the fence is moved from place to place. Should be able to take care of a lot of brush and grass this way while providing the much needed roughage for the goats.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Just another reason that genetically engineered seed and food products scare the hell out of me. Please take note of this post and take action by using the link provided at the bottom. Please share with others.

Multi-Billion $$ Monsanto Sues More Small Family FarmersPercy SchmeiserPercy Schmeiser is a farmer from Saskatchewan Canada, whose Canolafields were contaminated with Monsanto's genetically engineered Round-Up Ready Canola by pollen from a nearby farm. Monsanto says it doesn't matter how the contamination took place, and is therefore demanding Schmeiser pay their Technology Fee (the fee farmers must pay to grow Monsanto's genetically engineered products). According to Schmeiser, "I never had anything to do with Monsanto, outside of buying chemicals. I never signed a contract. If I would go to St. Louis (Monsanto Headquarters) and contaminate their plots--destroy what they have worked on for 40 years--I think I would be put in jail and the key thrown away."

Added some organic matter to the gardentoday. Turned the soil and then added leaves,some wood chips and some pine neddles that have been sitting for about a year. The chickens will work through it and spread it all out while adding some of their poop to the mix. Notice the bed on the other side that they have worked over for me. All that and eggs too. Gotta love those girls.

I love letting my animals do all the work of clearing brush. They love the fresh food too, sometimes I think they love it more than I do. Hey man they are happy and it cuts down on the feed bill. It's a win win.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Savannah and Katie had to have some rubber boots to wear around on the farm through the water and mud. Banna got HOT PINK ofcourse and Katie had to have a pair that look like a cow. They had a great time breaking them in the other day in the mud puddles left behind from the rain. They both looked like they had been mud wrestling after it was all over, but no harm done. They were coverd with mud and smiles and I couldn't have been happier

It has been rainy and cold here today with a few snow flurries to boot. Not what I was really wanting if you know what I mean. Hard to get much done in this kind of weather. Spent a little time in the Greenhouse though, nice and warm in there. All seeds are sprouted and I still have more to plant. Going to try some birdhouse gourds this year. Bought seeds at the amish country greenhouse last week. The amish have gourds hanging everywhere around their houses and lok so nice all painted white. Be nice to have some to play around with. My wife is really good at decorating and painting and so on so I know she can do some really cool stuff with them. Chickens are all doing well and seem to be happy working the ground in the garden area. Hey it saves me a lot of work and they eat bugs and unwanted seeds to. Chickens are a real plus on the homestead. Goats are working too, eating grass and weeds the I would otherwise have to cut myself. The great part about my farm animals is that they get rid of the things I don't want or need through one end of their body and produce good organic matter which they deposit out the other end. Compost machines is what I call them. Just turn them loose in the area you want them to work and sit back and what the happily take care of business.

A lot of work has been going on here at The Johnson Farm. Built a 20 x 30 foot fence to keep critters out of the garden. A few chickens and ducks are working the soil for me for a few days until planting time. Then they will be back in the hen house. Pictured are the garden area, our drake duck Nick, Two Buff Silkie roosters and some of the greenhouse work.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

We were very glad to have my mother, sister and my nephew come to visit this week. We had a great time and enjoyed their company. We traveled to Nancy Kentucky just about an hour from here to the Amish Country. Visited the Greenhouse and a few shops and seen workers in the field and kids and adults alike riding thier bikes. Seen many horse and buggies and we loved the sites. We also visited Haney's Appledale Farm. They were not open just yet this time of year but the owner was there and was glad to have us come in and look around. Very nice fellow.

Yep that's right, more kittens. But they are beautiful. 2 are Calico like their mother and one grey stripe. Born last night in the kids play room. They were watching TV and heard them. After a little looking we found the behind the couch. Their father was no doubt a drifter just passing through town. Probably just got out of the Pen too.

About Me

Just a guy that was born and raised in West Virginia and moved to Kentucky trying to raise a family on a small farm. We have goats, ducks, chickens, lots of dogs and raise a garden. Trying to live life simple and as peacful as possible. It's not as easy as it sounds.